Evento

MUSE by Kristin Lundberg (Festival Reading #2)

Directed by Amile Wilson

Based on a true story and set in 19th century England, this Victorian romance opens with Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a painter of sensuality -- famed for founding the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which revolutionized fine art -- remembering Elizabeth Siddal, his model, his MUSE ... his greatest passion. What follows is a kaleidoscope of memories - both passionate and painful - between lovers, and eventually, artistic competitors. Elizabeth Siddal was chosen as the model for John Millais famous painting Ophelia and one of the first women to showcase her own artwork in public. Lizzie grew up in the slums of London being attacked for her devil red hair. However, at the insistence of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, she became the embodiment of grace and beauty being immortalized in paintings and living a life that not even she could have dreamt of. Through Rossetti's story, we follow his journey working with the brotherhood of artists as they produce canvases reminiscent of medieval paintings. MUSE embodies the explosive struggles of his relationship with Lizzie, his muse, his model ... and later ... his artistic competitor.

ROSSETTI -- Neil David Seibel
LIZZIE -- Gwyneth Strope
STAGE DIRECTIONS -- Shelby Taylor Love
VOICE OVERS -- David Beach, Chris Gaumond, Rory Grant, Cassius Taylor

About the Festival:
Each summer at the end of July, we present a three-day event showcasing readings of student work from the Playwrights Lab. These readings are minimally staged for the general public and close to a dozen theatre professionals as respondents from as far away as Los Angeles and from as close as right here in Roanoke.

These readings are presented free to the public, but there is limited seating. Many of our festival readings have gone on to be published, produced and won major awards. Come see tomorrow's stars today!

Our festival is presented in collaboration with Mill Mountain Theatre on their Waldron Stage.